Welcome, everybody! We are ecstatic that you are joining us for Bible study this summer! Please read the following instructions quickly but carefully then watch the video. On each of our summer Bible study posts, I’ll always write out the interactives just in case you can’t get the video to work. OK, Sisters! Here goes!
BEFORE LEAVING A COMMENT: PLEASE READ ALL WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS AND WATCH THE VIDEO IF AT ALL POSSIBLE . ALL COMMENTS ARE MEANT TO BE IN RESPONSE TO TODAY’S INTERACTIVES. Your comment today is particularly important because it also serves as your registration for the summer experience.
UNLIKE PREVIOUS YEARS, WE ARE ASKING FOR EVERYONE PARTICIPATING TO LEAVE A COMMENT RATHER THAN THE GROUP LEADER LEAVING ONE ON BEHALF OF ALL. It tended to be too confusing. Your comment to each of the 4 blog posts this summer is your interaction with us here in our blog community. (I know some of this seems redundant but we get lots of questions about these kinds of details so we’re just trying to make sure we’ve covered as much as possible.)
If you are in a SMALL GROUP: you will share your responses to all of the interactives with one another in your gathering. Then, when you come back to make your comment to this post, you will choose one of the questions to answer here. You can answer more if you desire but we are only “requiring” you to respond to one.
If you are GOING SOLO: please respond succinctly to each of the interactives. The whole community will in effect become your group and sharing your answers will be part of the activity and accountability. It will make the summer experience immensely richer for you.
ALL PARTICIPANTS identify yourselves in your comments to this post by: First Name, city, state, and country if not the USA and whether you are participating with a small group or going solo, then respond to your interactives. Here’s a sample comment for our summer Bible study to give you a paradigm:
Cheryl, Shreveport, LA/small group: #3 … (her response to the third question will be written here. Note that she is participating in a small group so, since she’s already answered each of the questions in her gathering, she only needs to respond to one here. If she’d gone solo, she’d answer all of them here.)
 1.   A fun one: What title to a popular song – from any decade you wish – best captures you right now? (It can be serious or ridiculous.)
 2.   Write one sentence describing something about your present season – your right-here-and-now – that makes it unique. Life changes constantly. What is distinct about this particular season?
 3.   In one sentence, what is one thing you wish your sisters in Christ would know about you sooner that often doesn’t come out in your relationships till later? Complete this sentence: “I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I…”
 4.   *Optional: Make a one-sentence comment regarding anything in the video devotional that resonated with you.
OK, Sisters! Have Weeks One and Two of Gideon completed by our next gathering in two weeks on June 25th! We are so happy to have you here and to serve you.Â
Summer Gideon Study 2013 from LPV on Vimeo.
Kristi
Angry Birds theme song
Changing jobs, moving, oldest starting Kindy
Small group via Google+
Participating in Gideon. Excited about it!
1. One Day at a Time … Sweet Jesus. 🙂
2. Trusting God to produce fruit in my marriage after 16 years of sowing (celebrate 16 yrs July 5)
3. …..that I hurt badly from my daily struggle in my marriage
4. Beth spoke directly to me as I am ready to give up on seeing fruit produced in my husband and marriage after sowing heavily into it for 16 years.
(Also, how do I purchase the Gideon Bible study, I want to be involved)
Tonya, you can go the the Lifeway.com website or I ordered mine from Amazon.com
Marilyn Gadsden Al Solo
1 you are my sunshine
2 Season of caring for grandchildren
3 I am very introvert
4 I want to be bold in love
Angela, MS/solo
1. Somewhere in the Middle – Casting Crowns
2. I may be undergoing changes in my career because of reorganization.
3. I wish they knew that even though I act confident, I still have insecurities too, and that I really cherish their friendships.
Jo-Ann, Missouri, solo
2. While unpacking boxes from our recent move, unpacking hurt and anger from a previous attack on our children.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that God alone has done a wonderful work in my children, and He accomplishes that when I get out of the way:)
4. Prayed for years for my youngest brother to break his alcohol addiction and all that comes along with an addict. Blessed to say that after a stint in prison, he is doing marvelous. God is so faithful!!!
Saige, Shreveport LA
Small Group
#2 – I am preparing to try to start a family with my husband. 🙂
Becky, Jefferson, GA/small group…..#2)Turning the big 5 0 next month plus hubby just started a new job where the pay structure is 100% commission (never been paid this way before…it’s scary!)and after being a SAHM who has worked from home for the past 17 years, I’m facing the possibility of an outside the home job (also scary for this almost 50 year old chick!)
1. Who am I – Casting Crowns
2. Taking the summer off and fighting for my children and husband to recognize the Creator and submit all our lives to HIM daily
3.I wish my sisters in Christ knew how much I admire them for their obvious talents and how much I look up to them for advise and as mentors
Carrie, Mechanicsville, VA/small group
#1 It Is Well With My Soul- I just lost my sister in May, but I have such a sweet peace knowing she is in the arms of Jesus.
1. Day by Day – Point of Grace
2. Need God’s strength to help with my weakness – Ironman Trng
3. That I’m not as secure as I appear
Andrea, Ocala, FL / SOLO
1.Song: Victor’s Crown
2.Season: Away from all family
3. I wish that my sisters in Christ knew how deeply that I care for the wisdom that the senior generation of Christians has to offer.
4.Thank You for the awareness of what God can/will do in “Summer”. (waiting for a sale on bananas, too) <3
seantea, los angeles, ca / solo
1) Desert Song by Hillsong
2) Feels like i’m in the wilderness… not exciting, and not sure where i’m going… but i know God is here.
3) I wish my sisters knew… how much i LOATHE talking on the phone! (it’s my one anti-girly-girl trait)
Small group
1. A new hallelujah
Lydia, Nampa, ID (Solo)
1. Hello, My Name Is (Matthew West)
2. My current season is one of preparation and waiting for the time for my husband and I to start having children.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew… how I struggle with feeling lonely even around such kind & friendly women at church & Sunday school.
1). Grace, Grace, God’s Grace
2). I really don’t know where I’m at, all I know is I am grateful to our GOD.
3). I wish my sisters in Chris knew how much I appreciate & love them.
may I ask a question pls? How do we answer the questions @ the end of the chapter?
Ty & God bless you all.
The viewer quide answers are on page 189 in back of book.
Denise, North East, Md- Solo #1 Build your Kingdom Here (Rend Collective Experiment). #2 Son off working at camp for summer- beginning of empty nest. #3 want a real, alive relationship with God. #4Reminding me to watch for the flying bananas- He is faithful to finish what he starts.
1. ” Ch..ch..changes” by David Bowie
2. My oldest is learning to drive this summer and I see the reality that he won’t be around as much – terrifying and sad.
3. … I feel the same hurts, fears, anger etc i sometimes cover it up with spirituality.
Bonnie, from Arden, NC, USA/Small group:
My lifesong is, “In Christ Alone”
Karey, Justin, TX. Doing the study solo.
1. “Life in the Fast Lane” – Eagles (title only, not lyrics)
2. I am currently unemployed and am trying hard to find a good job. Also going back to school soon.
3. I’m good, I mean well, and I really will be here for you if you need me.
4. Watching for the fruit of something I have sown to ripen. A banana with my name on it!
Anyone willing to email me the answers to the viewer guides? Driving me crazy I am unable to get videos for financial reasons and am not doing too well filling in the blanks. Also what Bible is Priscilla using? Thank you! [email protected]
The answers for viewer quide are on page 189 in back of book
Thank you!!!!!
Pretty sure Priscilla is using Nasb.
I’m a little late to this party but…
1. “Brave”
2. The # of occupants is my house will be going from 4 to 8 in about a month’s time. Two of those new people are under the age of 5.
3. I’m tougher than I look.
4. I really want a banana with my name on it. I NEED a banana with my name on it!
Elaine, Nampa, ID I am studying solo.
1. Rock of Ages
2. My season of life is one of changes in friends, students, losing friends and family to cancer.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew I am hurting.
4. What spoke to me, “Lets remember what God has done.”
1. Both Sides Now, Judy Collins
2. I have spent my life being the good daughter/sister/wife/mom/employee. Now with college almost done and 30 years of marriage, I want to figure out who God made me to really be and to create an authentic marriage
3. I wear the mask to make everything look okay because I’m afraid if I don’t, I will fall apart and here will be no one to pick me up
4. I am weary, but I want to still bear fresh fruit
Amanda/Twin Falls, ID/small group:
1. Go and Sin No more
2.I am trying to find the will that God has called me to do
3. I wish my sisters in Christ new I’m not as mean or mad as I come off.
Anay/Twin Falls, ID/small group
1. This is amazing grace
2. I am trying establish a career where I can perform God’s work and make a difference.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ would know that I want to live in Christ’s way every day, constantly.
Tanya, Orlando, FL/small group #1 Meaningless by Anthony Evans
1. “Whip It” (Devo)
2. Turning 50. Both children in college next year. Not sure about my career path anymore.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew…(nothing that I can think of.)
Nanette Rochester NY (solo)
1.Good news – johnnyswim
2.I am in a season of waiting…the how and what is not clear but my dreams and expectations are very real.
3.I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I am very insecure.
4. I definitely have seen and felt the hand of God weighing down on me this summer, And have felt that we are on the verge of something. This all has been so much confirmation way too excited to be apart.
Sandy, Portland,Tn – with daughter – 1.third day’s ‘give me revelation’; 2.changes /moving – buying/selling – finding my place in another community.
Kristin, Wynnewood, PA/Small group
#1: The Long and Winding Road—The Beatles
KaRetha, Denham Springs, LA – going solo
1. “Hot, Hot, Hot”
2. Sandwiched between aging parents and helping with grandkids and still putting a child through college.
3. My heart breaks/hurts often over the wicked acts of people especially those in churches.
4. Excited about seeing fruit this summer.
Doing the study with another friend
1. Running on Empty by Jackson Browne
2.Going to be an empty nester soon and it’s bringing up the loss of my husband again and what my life will look like without everyone.
3. I wish that all my sisters in Christ would know how much I really love and appreciate how they have helped my family through the loss of their father and my husband and how faithful our God is:)
Joni, Littleton CO with my BFF, Sara
1. Ch-Ch-Changes
2. Job, house, God’s calling all possible changes but nothing settled…waiting on the Lord
3. I am not too busy to spend time with you; would love to have more women friends.
4. I loved the devo; God has been bringing the word “remember” to me over this last year; He has called me to do something that I have been telling Him is not my gifting; so the theme and timing of this study is so GOD!! I’m so humbled that He would bring me to this place; so don’t deserve to be here…but God!
Hope, Winston Salem, NC going solo
1. I’m Every Woman
2. I became a Mother-in-law June 1st.
3. I love deeply and love many friends.
4. I can’t wait for my fruit to ripen!
Shannon, Colorado Springs, CO/Solo!
#1. “Southern Comfort Zone” -by Brad Paisley
#2. The calm before the storm, fall starts with a senior in HS, husband with new job, my last semester in nursing school and a possible move
#3. That I am a sinner, I mess up, I make mistakes and I’m not perfect (and I won’t judge you for not being perfect either)
*’Tis So sweet to trust in Jesus
*The grief brough on by adult child going through a divorce
*I love being involved in Hospitality Ministry
“The Words I Would Say” by Sidewalk Prophets
Not in a ” midlife crisis” but a “co-creative process” with my Lord and Savior!
I am prone to anxiety attacks but have of late found ” good medicine” in claiming God’s promises through scripture memorization.
From the video: getting EXCITED when God works in my life!
1.) THE Voice of Truth – Casting Crowns
2.). Learning to live in the present moment (experiencing my God in that present moment) this season.
3.). I would want my sisters to know that I struggle with anxiety & trust issues, but need good Jesus loving women in my life!
1. Because of You – Adam Watts
2. Health stuff, just quit my job because of health stuff, only daughter soon to fly the coop, new church, marriage is deeply challenged but growing, and then some!
3. That I really struggle to trust when you ask what I did wrong to deserve health issues and I fight to not let it shake me.
4. I love the Biblical concepts of SUMMER!!!
1. The song that best captures me right now is from the new Mumford and Sons album called Where Are You Now.
2. This season in my life: I am a young single mom going to school full-time while my oldest gets ready for kindergarten and my youngest gets ready for his second year of preschool!
3. I would like all of you to know that when I feel discouraged I give up on everything I have started including disconnecting with people.
4. In the devotional what really got to me was the negative connotation she shared: “my strength was dried up as is by the heat of summer.” -Psalm 32:3-4
Wendy, Colorado Springs, CO; small group of friends from my church
1. The song that best describes me right now is Matthew West’s new song…”Hello, my name is”. It is so typical for me to be sucked in by the lies of the Enemy, but my goal is to boldly proclaim I am the CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE KING!
2. This season of my life is multidimensional: 1st son moving out to go to college, 2nd son starting High School, I am starting a new job…leaving a teaching job in a school that is very familiar to me and heading out to the world of public education and special education
3. I would like everyone to know that the tough exterior that I put out there upon first impressions is really the farthest thing from who I really am inside…an insecure and “way less confident than I appear to be” individual that can be hurt very easily.
4. I loved that Beth’s reference to SUMMER as a hot and dry season that can suck the life right out of us was so relevant to our week here in Colorado Springs with the worst fire in Colorado History taking over 500 homes and two lives. It has been a week of the reality of summer sucking the life out of so many,and I want to see the FRUIT of this devastation in no uncertain terms and I want to see God once again produce beauty from the ASHES in our city and see how he will help us to reap that fruit and turn it into beautiful things for the Kingdom of God.
Sue, Kingsport, TN/ solo.
1. School’s out- Alice Cooper
2. I will be 50 next month, and in some ways I feel old, but in others I feel like a young girl.
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew that I struggle with feelings of inadequacies.
l. Waiting Here for You
2. I am finally in a season in my life where I have lots of free time to serve God but just not sure which direction the Lord wants me to go in.
3. That I am a person with many faults just like everyone else.
4. Something that I have prayed about long enough to give up on or forget about – I’m waiting for the fruit to ripen.
It’s a Small World After All . . .
Transitions!; welcoming a new son-in-law and granddaughter, continuing to build healthy adult relationships w/our kids, seeing off our youngest to overseas teaching for this next year.
. . . love them deeply and wish I had more time to devote to each of them.
I love thinking of summer harvest/gathering/storing up spiritually; these resonate with me as a gardener/food preserver. 🙂
Wendy from Fountain Hills, AZ (small group): #2 – My present season is best described by the words “searching and waiting.” I’m searching and waiting for God to show me what to do with the life He’s given me.
Amie, Centreville, VA, solo
1. One is the loneliest number
2. Season of waiting for God to speak to me
3. that I have difficulty trusting people
Heidi~Lindale, TX Solo
1. The song that has been resonating with me is by Matthew West and it is called “My Name Is…” or something like that.
2. I have the summer off (teacher) so it is a great time to rededicate myself to faithful pursuit of God, eating better, and exercising everyday, as well as having time to catch-up around the house. PTL for summers!
3. I wish my sisters in Christ knew how I struggle to sense the presence of God and desire to sense Him more deeply in my everyday life.
4. I love all the references to summer in the Bible. It blows my mind how God can teach us so much with just one word. Thank you, Beth!
Kristen, clt. Solo
1.Summertime ..
2. Season change
3. I don’t have it all together
1. Speak Life by Toby Mac.